What does a white elephant mean literally?

1 : a property requiring much care and expense and yielding little profit. 2 : an object no longer of value to its owner but of value to others. 3 : something of little or no value.

What is the true meaning of white elephant?

A white elephant is a burdensome asset, property, or investment whose cost of upkeep is not in line with its usefulness or value. The term derives from the old Thai custom of gifting rare, expensive-to-keep white elephants to the reigning monarch. Nowadays it is often associated with unprofitable real estate.

What is the origin of the expression white elephant?

Etymology. In Siam, elephants were working animals. However, white (albino) elephants were considered sacred and therefore were not to be put to work. The owner was then left to feed the elephant but could get no work from it.

What is a synonym for white elephant?

albatross. ball and chain. burden. burthen. more trouble than it's worth.

Is the term white elephant offensive?

No, there is no racial implication. A “white elephant” is something you have, but don't want, and can't dispose of. The expression comes from a story about Siam (Thailand). White elephants (which occur in nature, but are rare) are regarded as sacred by the Thai people.

White Elephant Meaning | Most Common English Idioms | #15

What does big white elephant in the room mean?

noun phrase

: an obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging.

What does pink elephant in the room mean?

We would have often heard these to be referred to as the “Pink Elephant in the room! While the dictionary meaning to the phrase states it as “what people hallucinates after getting drunk” ,but in the org' perspective it explains as an issue or concern that palpably blocks progress and open dialogue on a table.

What does purple elephant mean?

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The symbolism of Alzheimer's is the color purple and an elephant. Purple is the most recognizable color out of the color wheel. It tends to be the last color that Alzheimer's patients forget. The elephant is a symbol because that is the only animal that will never forget anything.

What does an elephant at the front door mean?

Elephant figurines placed inside the front door, near the home's entrance, have two meanings. An elephant statue in the foyer facing away from the door brings luck into the home. An elephant facing toward protects the house. It guards your home against all sorts of negative energy.

What does it mean when an elephant's trunk is pointed up?

An upward-pointing elephant trunk is said to bring authority, good fortune, money, and goodwill. The elephant spreads its trunk in greeting and gladness. To get blessings and compassion, place an elephant with its trunk pointing upward.

What does it mean if an elephant's trunk is down?

Also, it is believed that an elephant with the trunk pointed down stores luck and energy. It is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge allowing you to easily overcome various tasks and obstacles. To stay grounded at work or to reserve strength and vitality at home, keep an elephant with a trunk pointing downward.

What do 3 elephants symbolize?

I have heard that in Columbia, it is a tradition to have three elephants in a room in order to represent good luck: one you bought, one that was given to you and one that you stole. The statues can be made of all types of materials such as glass, ceramic or even wood.

What does a GREY elephant mean?

There is also a difference between the meanings of a white elephant and a grey elephant. White elephants are believed to be a symbol of purity, divinity and a calm mind, while grey elephants symbolize an untrained and agitated mind, which tends to wander off from the path toward enlightenment.

What does a blue elephant mean?

The Blue Elephant in the Room is a national anti-stigma campaign designed to address the stigma associated with mental Illness. Displaying a blue elephant shows that you care about the wellness of others and demonstrates that this is a safe place to talk about mental illness, without fear of being viewed differently.

What does a gold elephant represent?

The elephant is generally considered a symbol of good luck and the animal is a symbol of good fortune. Elephant jewelry is commonly believed to bring luck to the person who is wearing it and makes a great gift for wishing someone luck with something.

What does a red elephant mean?

Green Signature Home Décor, a rare sustainable papier-mâché sculpture – The Welcoming Dark Red Elephant. Elephants have a positive symbolic meaning all over the world. They are a symbol of good luck, power, success wisdom and experience.

What does Silver elephant mean?

Silver Elephant Statue for Home Vastu- Direction and Benefits. A silver elephant is pious and brings blessings. It brings a lot of wealth and luxury to your home and business. Keeping a silver elephant covered in a red cloth in your safe will attract lots of wealth and prosperity.

What does green jade elephant mean?

Jade elephants are considered symbols of good fortune that bring many positive characteristics or powers. Used as talismans, jewelry or to increase a room's feng shui, jade elephants symbolize the ability to strengthen power, love, and luck.

What is Dirty Santa vs white elephant?

A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a popular Christmas event where people vie to walk away with the best present. It also goes by Yankee Swap, Dirty Santa, and a plethora of other names.

What is an example of a white elephant?

a possession unwanted by the owner but difficult to dispose of: Our Victorian bric-a-brac and furniture were white elephants. a possession entailing great expense out of proportion to its usefulness or value to the owner: When he bought the mansion he didn't know it was going to be such a white elephant.

What is the opposite of white elephant?

The point of White Elephant is to buy something ridiculous, whereas Yankee Swap is essentially the same gift-exchange process but with more useful gifts. Everyone brings in something and each person draws a number.

When was the term white elephant first used?

In the West, the term "white elephant", relating to an expensive burden that fails to meet expectations, was first used in the 17th century and became widespread in the 19th century.

What does it mean if a Christmas gift is called a white elephant?

White elephant gift exchange basics

What is a white elephant gift exchange? It typically consists of a group of people who each bring one wrapped awesome/bad/campy/funny gift (that could go to anyone in the group) of similar value and place them into a single, anonymous pile.

What's the difference between white elephant and Dirty Santa?

Whether you call it White Elephant or Dirty Santa, the game sticks to the same format. We're not sure where the name "Dirty Santa" originated, but it's meant to refer to game participants, the "Santas," stealing desirable gifts from each other.

Is white elephant an American tradition?

“According to legend, the tradition of white elephant gifts began long ago when the King of Siam—now Thailand—gave an actual white elephant to anyone he disliked,” Evan Mendelsohn, co-founder of holiday apparel company Tipsy Elves, tells Mental Floss. “These rare elephants were quite expensive to care for.